Earlier this week THQ told the world they “don’t really have much sympathy” for those who buy pre-owned games and now they want to get rid of consoles altogether.
“I am a huge believer in the concept of Cloud computing – huge,” said THQ boss Brian Farrell, “The concept of lowering the entry barrier to consumers for gamers to get into our games by not having to shell out for the hardware is a tremendous potential opportunity.”
“Why do we need a $1,000 [console]… that’s what these boxes [or] consoles actually cost the manufacturers to make. Why do we need that computing power?”
The are many benefits of cloud gaming for publishers including zero piracy and no pre-owned market. For consumers the view is less rosy – no Internet connection means no gaming and you will only ever be renting the game, once your subscription ends you lose all rights to the games.
Source: GamesIndustryTV
TSBonyman
With cloud computing decades away and not just according to pachter but i saw something about that recently online, and their attitude towards used-games and console owners, THQ seem to be rushing headlong into a lengthy sabbatical.
Personally, i don’t think i would ever use a system that required me to be connected to the internet at all times. Who knows how i’ll feel about it in 20 years time but i may well have stopped gaming by then.
heedbaw
So on one hand THQ are saying that they’ll need to charge people for an online pass if they’re buying 2nd hand because they lose money on games. But on the other they’re heralding cloud computing as ‘a way to lower the entry barrier’. Is that them basically admiting that their games are over priced.
An interesting thing I seen is that UFC 2010, or whatever the new one is, made a loss as they had predicted that it would sell more than the 1st. So did it actually lose them money, or was it just not as profitable as they had expected.
The Mysterious Phantom Bear
I think the reason UFC 2010 sold less than predicted was because of the shoddy online of 2009 that took THQ ages to fix and get working to a reasonable standard. I was a sucker that bought 2010 at launch, assuming it would be released in a working state and comparable to the end experience of 2009.
I was wrong. The online is broken. The fact they don’t give a damn about the title once it has shipped is all over the menu screens. They’re still advertising UFC 114 when it’s UFC 118 this Saturday. They can look forward to another drop in sales in 2011 because I, and many other MMA fans won’t be buying due to the past two times they’ve been burned.
Jackarseboyz
The playstation 3, and i guess the xbox 360, arent mere gaming machines. They are entertainment systems
I consistently use my Ps3 for much much more than just gaming
iAvernus
He likes hearing his own voice =)
BrendanCalls
I love the fact that, according to Wikipedia, THQ made a net loss of £300 million in Fy09, then a £9 mill loss in Fy10 and it’s all the consumers fault. Nothing to do with the diabolical appeal and quality of their games
BrendanCalls
I do apologise these figures are no longer from Wikipedia but from THQ’s own investor website. I wanted more accuracy than Wikipedia could offer, but forgot to remove it from my comment once Id changed
Mick939
I remember when everyone thought they had gone bankrupt
hazelam
and i look forward to the death of thq.
this industry is heading in the direction of it’s customer paying for product but never actually owning it, i like that when i buy games i actually own them, or at least that copy, i like that if somebody takes what i bought without my permission it’s considered theft, that’s what cloud gaming is, legalised theft, you buy the game, then they take it away.
or holding your games hostage, keep paying them or you’ll never see your games again.
of course these increasingly greedy publishers would love a system like that.
BrendanCalls
Unfortunately, we live in a society, the UK and USA I mean, that just bends over and takes such injustices. Dont hold any hope that what you said wont happen eventually. It sucks, but we’ll eventually accept it and then give a cheeky look behind us and smile
hazelam
personally i think we’re on the verge of a consumer backlash, we’re about to reach the tipping point where people say enough is enough.
the further they push this greed, the more likely they are to alienate the customers.
at least i would hope so because if they’re allowed to just keep getting away with it, well, things will only get worse.
we’re not valued customers anymore, we’re a resource to be exploited, that’s how they see us.
hunterstryfe
Did they not say only a few days ago that they supported ppl who buy 2nd hand games, now they contradict it lol
driftingforlife
what consle costs £1000. i got my ps3 for £300, my 360 for £25 (YES £25) and my gameing pc with water cooling which i built myself for £1300. THQ have had 2 gd games, saints row 2 and red faction 2.
double-o-dave
Obvious there’s pro’s and con’s but with the exception of RDR which I didn’t like, all I’ve played this year is Bad Company 2, I’m addicted. So if it costs over £40 then it’s going to end up more expensive for me.
If for example there was a £10 a month subscription fee then I’d end up paying £120 for just playing BC2 for a year… Not good
Bankzy108
I don’t know about anyone else but my console is much more than a gaming machine. I use it for all sorts, like looking at photos, listening to music and using it for streaming films, programs, etc.
Take away the console and I would have to rely on dedicated items like a CD player, Blu-ray player &/or Computer. My PS3 is my media hub and I wouldn’t swap that for cloud gaming. I also like a physical thing I can actually see and touch – Nothing beats getting a new game, unwrapping it and smelling the new game goodness.
Anyone agree?